Tyrosinase Inhibitors To Lighten Skin
Tyrosinase inhibitors lighten skin because they block tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is the enzyme your skin needs to make melanin, the pigment that makes the skin darker.
Skin care products that contain these melanin blockers are used in treatments for all kinds of skin hyperpigmentation.
Many of these skin lightening ingredients that block tyrosinase are of natural origin. They are used in creams and face serums to treat dark spots on the skin.
They are the best type of skin-lightening ingredients used to treat dark spots, melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
You can find a list of tyrosinase inhibitors in alphabetical order at the end of this blog.
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Table of Contents
How Tyrosinase Works
Tyrosinase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme tyrosinase that is needed to produce the 2 kinds of melanin skin pigments: eumelanin and pheomelanin.
When this enzyme is blocked, neither type of skin melanin can be made.
Tyrosinase controls the most important step in melanin production which is the conversion of tyrosine to L-DOPA. Melanin cannot be made when these melanin production inhibitors prevent tyrosine from turning into L-DOPA.
how tyrosinase works
Tyrosinase blockers can stop the conversion of tyrosine to L-Dopa in many different ways(3) but the end result is the same: the skin produces less melanin pigment than it would have.
How well the production of melanin is blocked depends upon how effective the tyrosinase inhibitor product is. (There are weak ones, medium strength, and strong ones.)
Click on the ingredient name in the list below to learn more about it.
Do I need a tyrosinase inhibitor in my skin care routine?
skin tyoes that need tyrosinase inhibitors in skincare routine
Of the 16 Baumann Skin Types, eight of these skin types need a tyrosinase inhibitor in their skincare routine.
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16 Baumann Skin Types
Skin Care Products with Tyrosinase Inhibitors
I recommend that you use at least one tyrosinase inhibitor product in your skin care routine, but you need to choose wisely and use them properly to get good results.
Combine these with exfoliants, soothing ingredients, and sunscreens for best results.
The five best dermatologist-recommended skin lightening products with tyrosinase inhibitors are:
Derma Made Mela-Fade
Alastin A-Luminate Brightening Serum
Cyspera Intensive Pigment Correcting Serum
Isdinceutics Melaclear Advanced
Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense
Keep reading to learn how to incorporate these products in your routine.
Our favorite medical grade products work best when combined with other products that are made with different types of skin lightening ingredients. These all work faster and have fewer side effects when combined with the correct cleanser, serum, face cream and sunscreen for your Baumann Skin Type.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum
$44.99
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm FX Starter System – Normal to Oily
$470.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
$128.00
Add to Cart
ClarityRx Let There Be Light Powerful Lightening Serum
$110.00
Add to Cart
Medature Hydro Bright Treatment
$33.75
Add to Cart
ISDIN Pigment Expert
$48.00
Out of Stock
Neocutis PERLE Skin Brightening Cream
$121.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Blend Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum
$126.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum
$44.99
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm FX Starter System – Normal to Oily
$470.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
$128.00
Add to Cart
ClarityRx Let There Be Light Powerful Lightening Serum
$110.00
Add to Cart
Medature Hydro Bright Treatment
$33.75
Add to Cart
ISDIN Pigment Expert
$48.00
Out of Stock
Neocutis PERLE Skin Brightening Cream
$121.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Blend Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum
$126.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum
$44.99
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm FX Starter System – Normal to Oily
$470.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
$128.00
Add to Cart
ClarityRx Let There Be Light Powerful Lightening Serum
$110.00
Add to Cart
Medature Hydro Bright Treatment
$33.75
Add to Cart
ISDIN Pigment Expert
$48.00
Out of Stock
Neocutis PERLE Skin Brightening Cream
$121.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Nu-Derm Blend Fx (Hydroquinone Free)
$119.00
Add to Cart
Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum
$126.00
Add to Cart
We recommend shopping by your skin type for products so you can match the best ingredients to any issues that your skin may have in addition to hyperpigmentation.
Many things need to be considered when choosing the best skin lightening products for your skin.
Take the quiz to see if these products are right for you.
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How to use
These products do not work well if used incorrectly, so we have some advice to help you get better results.
Here are our dermatologists tips to get your skin lightening products to work faster to treat hyperpigmentation.
Use tyrosinase inhibitors at least once a day every day. Do not skip days. Use them on clean skin after cleansing. Combine them in your routine with exfoliating products , retinoids, PAR-2 blockers and anti-inflammatory ingredients if these are right for your skin type. Choose a moisturizer with unsaturated fatty acids and oils that help inhibit tyrosinase. Use the moisturizer after the tyrosinase inhibitor. Use SPF every day- even indoors. Apply the sunscreen after your moisturizer in the am.
Take a 2- 4 week break from using tyrosinase inhibitors every 3-4 months.(2)
Tyrosinase Inhibitor Ingredients By Strength
There are many different tyrosinase inhibitors. Some are very strong like hydroquinone while others like ascorbic acid are weak.
Hydroquinone is the strongest and best ingredient to block the conversion of tyrosine to L-DOPA, but questions about the safety of hydroquinone and removal of it from the cometic market have led to the development of many different ingredients that block this enzyme.
Here is a list of tyrosinase blocking ingredients by strength:
Strongest Tyrosinase Inhibitors
The 5 most powerful tyrosinase inhibitors to use topically are (in order of strength):
Thiamidol (isobutylamido-thiazolyl-resorcinol)
Hydroquinone
Resorcinol
Hexylresorcinol
Kojic Acid
Moderate Strength Tyrosinase Inhibitors
These medium strength ingredients also have fewer side effects (in alphabetical order):
Arbutin
Artemisia Capillaris
Ascorbic acid
Azelaic acid
Ellagic Acid
Emblica (Emblican)
Licorice Extract (Glabridin, Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Paper Mulberry (Mulberry extract)
Retinol
Saururus chinensis also called Asian Lizard’s Tail Plant or Chinese Lizard’s Tail
Weak Skin Lightening Ingredients
These weak ingredients have very few side effects. They can be used even when you are taking a tyrosinase inhibitor holiday:
Aloesin
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Flavonoids (A large family of compounds that includes resveratrol)
Oils with unsaturated fatty acids (see list below of oils)
Natural Oils To Lighten Skin
natural ingredients and oils that block tyrosinase
Oils with high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids are also considered natural tyrosinase inhibitors. These can be found in organic and clean skin lighting products.
These skin lightening oils are ideal alone or in moisturizers to layer over skin lightening products.
Look for moisturizers such as Zerafite Skin Brightening Barrier Cream that have unsaturated fatty acids or these unsaturated oils.
List of Oils To Lighten Dark Spots:
These should be combined with stronger tyrosinase inhibitors and PAR-2 blockers for best results.
Argan oil
Avocado oil
Borage seed oil
Evening primrose oil
Grapeseed oil
Marula oil
Olive oil
Rosehip oil
Safflower oil
Sunflower oil
Sesame oil
Soybean oil
Tsubaki oil
Ingredients that are Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Many different types of ingredients have tyrosinase blocking activity and can be used to lighten skin. I will discuss which category these are in and if they are tyrosinase inhibitors.
It is good to have options because tyrosinase inhibitors work best when you use them for 3-4 months and then stop for 2-4 weeks and then restart. Dermatologists call this a tyrosinase inhibitor holiday.
Learn more about how to use them in your routine and do a tyrosinase holiday here.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C is a weak tyrosinase inhibitor but it can also help prevent skin pigmentation through its effects on the p53 pathway and it’s antioxidant capabilities.
Downsides of using Vitamin C to treat hyperpigmentation are:
Does not effectively inhibit tyrosinase
Has difficulty penetrating into the skin
Unstable
Reacts with other skin care products
Has a low pH that can sting skin and affect other products
Expensive
However, Vitamin C is a great antioxidant and it helps increase skin collagen and prevent aging.
I prefer using Vitamin C serum in my patients when they are taking a tyrosinase inhibitor holiday.
The best Vitamin C serums to use to treat melasma if you have aging skin can be found at this link.
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum
$140.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%
$189.00
Out of Stock
Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex
$125.00
Add to Cart
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
$26.99
Out of Stock
ISDIN Flavo-C
$100.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules
$46.00
Out of Stock
ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules
$46.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum
$160.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum
$140.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%
$189.00
Out of Stock
Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex
$125.00
Add to Cart
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
$26.99
Out of Stock
ISDIN Flavo-C
$100.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules
$46.00
Out of Stock
ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules
$46.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum
$160.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream
$54.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
$44.99
Out of Stock
Obagi-C FX System C-Clarifying Serum
$140.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Force Field Kit with Professional-C Serum 20%
$189.00
Out of Stock
Obagi Professional-C Peptide Complex
$125.00
Add to Cart
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
$26.99
Out of Stock
ISDIN Flavo-C
$100.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Flavo-C Ultraglican Ampules
$46.00
Out of Stock
ISDIN Hyaluronic Booster 10 Ampoules
$46.00
Add to Cart
ISDIN Melatonik® Restorative Melatonin Night Serum
$160.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream
$54.99
Add to Cart
Azelaic acid
In addition to being a tyrosinase inhibitor, azelaic acid is an exfoliant and is anti-inflammatory
It has a low pH and can cause stinging in sensitive skin types.
Cysteamine
Cysteamine is a tyrosinase inhibitor, but it also has the added benefit of protecting skin from UV radiation.
Cysteine
Cysteine does not effect the conversion of tyrosine to L-DOPA but works later in the pathway to push the melanin production towards pheomelanin and away from eumelanin.
Pheomelanin is lighter than eumelanin so it makes the skin appear lighter when cysteine is present.
Cysteine is not esy to get into the skin so it is not found in very many skin care products.
how tyrosinase makes melanin
Glutathione
Glutathione blocks melanin by directly and indirectly stopping the enzyme tyrosinase, shifting away from producing dark eumelanin to making more of the lighter pheomelanin pigments. While glutathione injections are popular, no proof shows they work or are safe. In fact, side effects made the Philippines FDA warn against using injections for unapproved uses including skin lightening. Currently, three controlled studies support the safe skin-lightening impacts of oral and topical glutathione. However crucial questions remain on aspects like treatment length, lastingness of lightening, and maintenance plans. More high-quality clinical trials tracking patients long-term are necessary to demonstrate if glutathione can treat hyperpigmentation and sustain skin lightening. (17)
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid does not inhibit tyrosinase. Instead it lightens dark spots by causing exfoliation.
Glycolic acid is classified as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
It can be great as a cleanser for some uneven skin types because of it’s low pH.
It can also be used in acne skin types with dry skin to help remove the dark spots left by pimples.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is not a tyrosinase inhibitor. It helps gives cell energy to repair themselves and prevents the production of melanin by blocking the PAR-2 receptor and reducing inflammation.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is not a tyrosinase inhibitor. It is an exfoliant classified as a beta hydoxyacid (BHA). It can be a good treatment for hyperpigmentation if combined with other skin lighteners. It is a great choice to help treat dark spots from acne in oily skin types. Salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Tranexamic Acid
This is a weak tyrosinase inhibitor, but really has effects on plasmin.
How Fast Do They Work To Lighten Skin?
Tyrosinase inhibitors begin blocking skin pigment production right away but it takes months to see results. This is because the skin pigment is in the cells of the epidermis called keratinocytes. It takes around 30-50 days for the epidermis to complete the desquamation process and replace all of the skin cells and repopulate the epidermis with cells without melanin.1
This is why you must use a skin lightening routine with tyrosinase inhibitor skincare products for at least 6 weeks to see a difference in skin color.
In many cases, melanin pigment is also in the dermis which takes even longer to clear.
This is why you should plan to use your tyrosinase inhibitor products for 8 weeks before you begin to tell a difference. Most people require 16 weeks of a tyrosinase inhibitor treatment before they can see results.
Woman looking at dark spots on skin in a mirror
Keep in mind that any sun, heat, or light exposure will set you back because sun, heat, and light activate melanocytes to make more pigment. We recommend using tinted sunscreen daily to help your tyrosinase inhibitors work better. The iron oxides in the tint give more protection than an un-tinted sunscreen.
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool
$59.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm
$59.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
$56.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Active Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
$42.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41
$41.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47
$40.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
$36.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen
$31.99
Add to Cart
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool
$59.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm
$59.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
$56.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Active Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
$42.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41
$41.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47
$40.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
$36.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen
$31.99
Add to Cart
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool
$59.00
Add to Cart
Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm
$59.00
Add to Cart
PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45
$56.00
Add to Cart
Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Active Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
$42.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41
$41.00
Add to Cart
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted
$44.00
Out of Stock
EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47
$40.00
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50
$36.99
Add to Cart
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Gentle Lotion Mineral Sunscreen
$31.99
Add to Cart
How To Make Tyrosinase Inhibitors Work Faster?
Tips to improve the results of tyrosinase inhibitor products:
Combine several tyrosinase inhibitors together
Use them with antioxidants
Use them with exfoliants
Use them consistently in a customized skin care routine designed for your Baumann Skin Type®.
Make sure you apply in the correct skincare routine step order.
Use moisturizers with unsaturated fatty acids
Use occlusives to “slug” the tyrosinase inhibitors into your skin.
Stop them for 2-4 weeks every 3-4 months
Skin Care Routine
The other products in the routine will affect how well tyrosinase inhibitors work.
You will waste your money if you do not consider every single step of your skin care regimen.
Keep these tips in mind when buying products and building a skin care routine:
Use a low pH cleanser to speed exfoliation
The best cleansers for melasma are discussed here
Use skin-lightening ingredients that will not irritate your skin type
Use moisturizers with unsaturated fatty acids that inhibit tyrosinase
Use moisturizers that help tyrosinase inhibitors absorb into the skin
Combine the tyrosinase inhibitors with antioxidants and soothing ingredients to reduce inflammation because inflammation causes pigmentation
Combine with PAR-2 inhibitors that block the transfer of melanin into skin cells
Wear a tinted mineral (physical) SPF since iron oxides protect the skin from blue light
Combine with microdermabrasion or chemical peels
Consider a supplement or vitamin such as pycnogenol, melatonin, or polypodium leucotomos to block skin pigment production
Change your lifestyle to get rid of melasma
There is a prescription pill used to treat melasma – it is not FDA approved but it is often used
Best Moisturizer to Use with Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Look for moisturizers with unsaturated fatty acids. See the list of oils in this blog that have unsaturated fatty acids. Choose moisturizers with the oils on that list.
fatty acids in moisturizers that stimulate tyrosinase
The best moisturizer with unsaturated fatty acids to block tyrosinase is Zerafite Brightening Barrier Repair Moisturizer.
2024 Updated List of Tyrosinase Inhibitors
Click on the ingredients below for more information:
Aloesin
Arbutin
Artemisia Capillaris
Ascorbic acid
Azelaic acid
Difluorocyclohexyloxyphenol
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate
Ellagic Acid
Emblica (Emblican)
Flavonoids
Gentisic Acid
Glutathione
Hydroquinone
Hexylresorcinol
Kojic Acid
Licorice Extract (Glabridin, Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Paper Mulberry (Mulberry extract)
Resveratrol
Resorcinol
Saururus chinensis also called Asian Lizard’s Tail Plant or Chinese Lizard’s Tail
Thiamidol (isobutylamido-thiazolyl-resorcinol)
Research
Studies on tyrosinase inhibitors are usually not done one animals, but they may be. The research studies on these ingredients are usually performed first on mushrooms, then on melanocyte cells in culture, and ultimately on human skin. Obviously, the way an ingredient performs on mushrooms or cells may differ from how it performs on living human skin, so look for evidence-based research trials performed on humans to see which of these ingredients work best.
Choose the best skin lightening ingredients for your skin type
There is so much to know about treating hyperpigmentation.
Let us guide you!
We will give you a step by step routine and you can choose from a list of products right for your skin type.
